New to Forum, Planning Build out, have some A/T ?s

[Randy-P]

New to the forum and FFR period. I have decades of experience in the auto industry with the majority of it being in with Mopar/Jeep, and lastly Tesla. I'm looking at a Mk4 build liking some of the "resto-mod" approaches. I do want EFI and do feel keeping with the blue oval theme of the car will retain value and abeyance. I prefer drivability and think a 347 EFT with an auto trans would suit my wife and me. I realize some purists will raise more than an eyebrow but I'm not building the car for them/you ;)

Outside of the "cooler" issue changing to an auto would seem to be a simple radiator swap and or satellite cooler, what if any other obstacles am I missing?

Again, Mopar/Jeep guy. I have very little experience with ford power trains as a whole outside of reading this forum for the past week for 4-6 hours a day lol.

[nucjd19]

An old Toyota fj40'file here. I have spent a ton of my time rebuilding the 2f engine, installing diff lockers, SUA lifts, power steering and brake conversions. I had very little experience with ford other than my farm trucks which are not applicable to what I was doing with the roadster. I had no problems transitioning over AT ALL. There is so much info out there and basic mechanical stuff translates between brands. IMO if you have any mechanical inclination you will have no problems at all in conjunction with the forum and the build manual. FYI, my build was the most fun I have ever had! My wife wants me to sell the one I built and buy another build after seeing my excitement and enjoyment with the build process. Anyway, don't be discouraged by the difference in brands. Heck, Steve (godadgo) put an LS engine and transmission in his and it is amazing!

[Papa]

Most here will tell you to build it your way and will be happy to share their knowledge of these cars regardless of the direction you want to go. The hardest part of what you're describing will be getting an auto trans to fit in the narrow space available, but it has been done more than once. I can't offer any help on what mods to the chassis may be needed, but there are no insurmountable challenges to get one to work.

Dave

Edit:

Some stuff to read through...

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?27573-Automatic-Transmission-in-a-Roadster-or-Coupe

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?41729-Auto-transmission-in-Mk4-anyone-install-one

[GoDadGo]

The Cool Thing About These Cars Is You Are Building Your Dream!
Welcome Aboard!
Note:.. The Shelby's Super Snake Has An Automatic Transmission!

https://youtu.be/yYO9-lhhJzk

[Randy-P]

Yeah to add more details about me, I was an auto tech focused on what the industry calls "driveability" focused on the electronics, electrical, how the powertrain runs, etc. I've flashed more pcm's than I count and electrically I'm solid. I was a Viper-certified tech back in the late 90s. So the basic mechanical build isn't a concern for me having reviewed build videos and read the entire "Papa's" thread. It's the small idiocracy's of engines/transmissions and at times modules of each type that I will likely have ?s about. Papa's 347 with 400hp and if I'm correct a 4R70W trans. The auto is something my wife would prefer given her past experience with heavy clutched mustangs. I realize with today's hydraulic systems that can be alleviated if not eliminated but it's "our" project as I'm lucky enough to have a "gearhead" wife :)

[Randy-P]

Thank you! I'd "like" the post but haven't sorted that out yet lol.:p

[Papa]

Yeah to add more details about me, I was an auto tech focused on what the industry calls "driveability" focused on the electronics, electrical, how the powertrain runs, etc. I've flashed more pcm's than I count and electrically I'm solid. I was a Viper-certified tech back in the late 90s. So the basic mechanical build isn't a concern for me having reviewed build videos and read the entire "Papa's" thread. It's the small idiocracy's of engines/transmissions and at times modules of each type that I will likely have ?s about. Papa's 347 with 400hp and if I'm correct a 4R70W trans. The auto is something my wife would prefer given her past experience with heavy clutched mustangs. I realize with today's hydraulic systems that can be alleviated if not eliminated but it's "our" project as I'm lucky enough to have a "gearhead" wife :)

I'd be happy to answer your questions on my combo. My transmission is a TKO-600 though, so not what you're looking to go with.

Dave

[Chopper]

Carol didn't mind automatics. Check out CSX3015, one of two "Super Snakes". Automatic transmission (original).


https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1966-SHELBY-COBRA-427-SUPER-SNAKE-44723 (https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1966-SHELBY-COBRA-427-SUPER-SNAKE-44723)

[Randy-P]

Yup found those threads and thank you for supporting!

[CraigS]

An auto trans can work fine. I am not up on all the different models so I would look at older Ford trans and look at what is available for the various models in the aftermarket. I say older so you don't get into newer ones where the control is all electronic which, as you know needs an ecu, but maybe the more difficult part would be producing the signals it is looking for. I would want a way to be able to run it full auto but also be able to shift manually. I would want one that, if I shift it into 2nd, it stays in 2nd and doesn't screw around for 3 seconds and then downshift to first if I put my foot in it. I think there are drag racing oriented trans shops that can do something for you but be sure you understand that their ideal is probably not your ideal. For instance, drag guys usually use a high stall speed torque convertor, which you probably don't want in a light car w/ lots of torque..

[wallace18]

You should look into power brakes when going to an Automatic. The car is so light that a stock convertor will be hard to hold still at a stop. My experience is a 2800 stall lock up convertor with P/B works great. See my 35 build thread. The transmission from Blueprint was too high stall IMO. My wife's 33 had that. Both had 347's with AOD automatics.
Hope this helps some. Best of luck and enjoy your build.:cool:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?26958-Wallace18-s-35-Hot-Rod-Pickup
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?34246-Marsha-s-Gen-1-33-build-by-Wallace18

[Randy-P]

Super helpful thank you!

[rustyrim]

look at a C4 out of a mustang with a stock convertor. the C4 is the easiest to install. A 1987 - 88 mustang AOD has no electronic controls and has an overdrive but bigger and harder to install. You can put the cooler where many put the engine oil cooler.

[Randy-P]

Ok, I'm keeping notes gentlemen so any input is appreciated and helpful. Regarding the C4, am I limited to SB vs. BB? C4's can handle a BluePrint 427 with EFI for example? Blueprint pairs with the 4R70W, is there a reason they're using this vs the C4?

[Jeff Kleiner]

I don’t recommend the C4…it is only 3 speeds with no overdrive. Even with a high ratio in the rear end like a 3.08 you’d be turning 2,800 RPM at 70 MPH. I think you’d be much better off with an AOD.

Jeff

[Mike.Bray]

FWIW, the neat thing about building a car is you get to make it your own. Some fuel for thought, I've never owned any big ticket item that didn't one day end up going down the road. Cars, boats, planes, trains, houses, wives... Some are easier to sell than others. A red, blue, black, or white car will sell 100 times faster than a lemon yellow car. Years ago I bought a Miata for my wife. I searched and searched for an automatic Miata for her and finally found one. Back then auto Miatas were very rare. When I went to sell it I had a heck of a time, finally ended up trading it in for peanuts because of the auto. You can sell anything for a price was the lesson I learned....

An automatic Cobra will most likely have a smaller market than a more traditional stick shift. The last Cobra I built had a SBC in it, they only way I sold it was to pull the engine out and sell them separately. Hydraulic clutches are a far cry from your wife's "heavy clutched Mustangs". By all means build the dream car you want but I would encourage you to test out a modern SBF with a hydraulic clutch before making a final decision. An injected 347 (very smart choice) with a TKX 5 speed is going to be loads more fun to drive.

Good luck with your build!

[Mike.Bray]

Carol didn't mind automatics. Check out CSX3015, one of two "Super Snakes". Automatic transmission (original).


https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1966-SHELBY-COBRA-427-SUPER-SNAKE-44723 (https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1966-SHELBY-COBRA-427-SUPER-SNAKE-44723)

I read he didn't like it but had to because of the torque from the twin supercharged engine. Clutches and standard transmissions in the 60's weren't up to it.

[Randy-P]

Noted, I'll keep that in mind. I'm still learning as I go. All insights appreciated.

[Randy-P]

I agree 100%. While I do plan to build this for me. The "value" that it may hold not only to me but to someone else is something to consider. To your point, color can make or break a car and these days changing the color isn't cheap if done with paint. I am curious, with the improvements to vehicle wraps, has anyone smoothed out the body and gone this route over paint?

[Mike.Bray]

I am curious, with the improvements to vehicle wraps, has anyone smoothed out the body and gone this route over paint?

If you search this forum there are some comments about Cobras that have been wrapped, and they're not positive comments. I think there's to many compound curves to make it look decent.